Magdalena, NM – The Red Canyon Fire on the Magdalena Ranger District has grown in size to 3,425 acres with approximately 85 personnel on the incident. The lightning-caused fire is located in the San Mateo Mountains, 2 miles southeast of Grassy Lookout.

Aerial ignitions (dropping incendiary device from a helicopter) was used again yesterday on the Red Canyon Fire. Fire crews were able to direct fire along the south and southeast sides of the fire. Fire ignitions were ignited between Indian Springs, moving eastward into Tool Box Springs and Hidden Springs, within the fire planning area. The fire continues to burn in ponderosa pine, mixed-conifer, grass and brush. Active fire behavior continues along the entire perimeter of the fire. As the Red Canyon Fire continues to burn, pre-determined management areas are mapped to keep the fire within those boundaries.

A local Type 3 Incident Management Short Team is managing the fire for multiple resource objectives. These objectives include improving wildlife habitat, protecting cultural resources, reducing hazardous fuels and returning fire to the ecosystem.

A warming and drying trend, along with afternoon and evening thunderstorms into early next week are forecast over the Red Canyon Fire. Smoke continues to be visible from I-25 south of Socorro, New Mexico. Local communities surround Magdalena, NM continue to experience drifting smoke and haze in the afternoon and evening from wildfires on the Gila NF and wildfires in Arizona. The New Mexico Department of Health provides a visibility test to determine smoke impacts in your area on their website at: https://nmtracking.org/en/environ_exposure/fire-and-smoke/#xEPHT__fivemile__1329.

The following Forest Roads (FR) are closed until further notice: FR 96; FR 138; FR 478A; FR 478B; FR 330; FR 331; FR 378, and FR 478. The following trails are closed: Trails 28, 31, 43, and 63. All the listed Forest Roads and trails are within the working boundaries of the Red Canyon Fire perimeter.